The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday pulled up the state government over mismanagement at Birsa Munda Central Jail in Hotwar and directed it to immediately appoint a regular superintendent to restore proper administration in the high-security facility.
A division bench of Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar passed the order while hearing a suo motu PIL triggered by media reports and viral videos showing two undertrial prisoners “dancing inside a hall” within the jail premises. Both undertrials are accused in a liquor scam case.
The bench expressed concern over the apparent lapses that allowed such activities inside a central jail. It directed the government to ensure that no mobile phones, chargers, drugs, or any other intoxicants enter the premises, and stressed the need for strict internal checks.
To strengthen oversight, the court asked the district administration and officers of the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (JHALSA) to carry out surprise inspections at regular intervals.
The court noted that disciplinary action had already begun at the administrative level. On November 12, soon after the videos surfaced, IG (Prisons) Sudarshan Mandal suspended assistant jailor Deonath Ram and warder Binod Yadav for dereliction of duty.
The matter is scheduled to be heard again on January 5, 2026.
